Manitoba RCMP investigating online puppy fraud

Manitoba RCMP is investigating after a woman from New Bothwell said she became a victim of a puppy fraud scheme.
Officers with the St-Pierre-Jolys detachment received a complaint from a resident on Oct. 28. She said on Oct. 22, she found a social media post advertising a puppy. The post said the puppy was in Altona and needed a new home due to the owners being unable to give it the quality of life it deserved. The woman contacted the seller and started a conversation online in hopes of getting the puppy.
RCMP said the victim received photos and a video of the puppy and she reached an agreement with the seller for the price of the puppy. The victim agreed to provide an e-transfer deposit, with the remaining money owed to be given in person when they met for the exchange.
On the day of the exchange, the victim arrived at an agreed upon location and then received a text saying the seller’s spouse wanted the full payment before the exchange, which the victim sent via e-transfer. Once the full amount was transferred, the victim did not hear back from the seller.
“The investigation has found that the seller’s profile was recently created and that this person may have been successful in defrauding two other victims in Winnipeg in the same manner,” RCMP said in a release.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
RCMP says people should be cautious and aware of the risk of fraud, and should only agree to meet in a public place when making purchases through online marketplaces. Buyers should also provide payment only upon meeting with the seller so you have a chance to examine the item before money changes hands.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada tracked suspected Chinese spy balloon over Canadian airspace since last weekend: sources
The suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that was found floating over sensitive military sites in the western United States had been tracked by Canada's government since last weekend as it passed through Canadian airspace, sources tell CTV News.

Oldest preserved vertebrate brain found in 319-million-year-old fish fossil
The oldest preserved vertebrate brain has been found in a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish skull that was removed from an English coal mine over a century ago.
Former NHL-er Ted Nolan among Indigenous players honoured in new hockey card series
It took 40 years, but former NHL player and coach Ted Nolan is now one of eight Indigenous ex-NHL-ers being honoured hockey trading cards as a part of Upper Deck's First Peoples Rookie Card series.
B.C. man who was mistaken for target, shot by police in 2013 has lawsuit dismissed
A B.C. man who was mistaken for the target in a police takedown and shot by an officer in 2013 has had his lawsuit alleging negligence dismissed.
Bodies are those of 3 rappers missing nearly 2 weeks: Detroit police
Three bodies found in a vacant Detroit-area apartment building have been identified as those of three aspiring rappers who went missing nearly two weeks ago, police said Friday.
Maid's son tells judge Alex Murdaugh took US$4M for her death
For much of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial, witnesses have talked about a generous and loving man -- but prosecutors want jurors to know that same man stole over US$4 million from his housekeeper's relatives after she died at work, and killed his wife and son to cover up his crimes.
Japanese prime minister's aide leaving over LGBTQ2S+ remarks
A senior aide to Japan's prime minister is being dismissed after making discriminatory remarks about LGBTQ2S+ people.
Jury: Musk didn't defraud investors with 2018 Tesla tweets
A jury on Friday decided Elon Musk didn't deceive investors with his 2018 tweets about electric automaker Tesla.
Stars disappearing before our eyes faster than ever: report
A new research from a citizen science program suggests that stars are disappearing before our eyes at an 'astonishing rate.'